Top Law Schools

Top 20% after 1L at a T75, Engineering/IP background with a couple of years of solid professional experience, Splitting the summer between a federal judicial internship and a reputable small local firm doing complex litigation and class actions. What are my chances of transferring to T20? is it worth it? currently no scholarship and wanting to get as close to big law as possible.

I think you've got a good chance- you should also toss in apps to T14 schools like Gtown.
You should transfer unless your school offers to give you a fullride or darn near it and it is in your desired market (you need both those factors to stay in my opinion). But apply to transfer and then if you want to stay, negotiate with that acceptance from UT. I'd also encourage you to apply to BC if you're applying to BU. They are peer schools in Boston. But yeah, apply broadly, since you're on no scholarship, you have nothing to lose really in my opinion and you should get out and into UT/UCLA/USC/Vandy/WashU whatever.

crazywafflez wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 28, 2021 10:42 am

I think you've got a good chance- you should also toss in apps to T14 schools like Gtown.
You should transfer unless your school offers to give you a fullride or darn near it and it is in your desired market (you need both those factors to stay in my opinion). But apply to transfer and then if you want to stay, negotiate with that acceptance from UT. I'd also encourage you to apply to BC if you're applying to BU. They are peer schools in Boston. But yeah, apply broadly, since you're on no scholarship, you have nothing to lose really in my opinion and you should get out and into UT/UCLA/USC/Vandy/WashU whatever.

Would also definitely throw applications in at GW and WashU

crazywafflez wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 28, 2021 10:42 am

I think you've got a good chance- you should also toss in apps to T14 schools like Gtown.
You should transfer unless your school offers to give you a fullride or darn near it and it is in your desired market (you need both those factors to stay in my opinion). But apply to transfer and then if you want to stay, negotiate with that acceptance from UT. I'd also encourage you to apply to BC if you're applying to BU. They are peer schools in Boston. But yeah, apply broadly, since you're on no scholarship, you have nothing to lose really in my opinion and you should get out and into UT/UCLA/USC/Vandy/WashU whatever.

BC can get you at least as far as BU. Anybody who thinks otherwise doesn’t know the boston market and is drunk off the USNWR kool-aid, so yes agree if going BU then go BC as well. Or even maybe just do BC.

This all being said, are you sure it’s worth it? Where do you sit in the class now at your current spot and, historically (maybe last year excluded), how do those people typically place?

Suffice it to say that until you start looking at UMich, Cornell etc., going to these other schools (UT, USC, Gtown) will still be a gamble to get biglaw and as a transfer you’ll find yourself at a disadvantage initially. And you likely won’t get any merit aid but you probably know that.

objctnyrhnr wrote: ↑

Fri May 21, 2021 7:40 am

crazywafflez wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 28, 2021 10:42 am

I think you've got a good chance- you should also toss in apps to T14 schools like Gtown.
You should transfer unless your school offers to give you a fullride or darn near it and it is in your desired market (you need both those factors to stay in my opinion). But apply to transfer and then if you want to stay, negotiate with that acceptance from UT. I'd also encourage you to apply to BC if you're applying to BU. They are peer schools in Boston. But yeah, apply broadly, since you're on no scholarship, you have nothing to lose really in my opinion and you should get out and into UT/UCLA/USC/Vandy/WashU whatever.

BC can get you at least as far as BU. Anybody who thinks otherwise doesn’t know the boston market and is drunk off the USNWR kool-aid, so yes agree if going BU then go BC as well. Or even maybe just do BC.

This all being said, are you sure it’s worth it? Where do you sit in the class now at your current spot and, historically (maybe last year excluded), how do those people typically place?

Suffice it to say that until you start looking at UMich, Cornell etc., going to these other schools (UT, USC, Gtown) will still be a gamble to get biglaw and as a transfer you’ll find yourself at a disadvantage initially. And you likely won’t get any merit aid but you probably know that.

I'm in Michigan. Unfortunately, there are only so many Big Law firms here. Can't help but think anything in the top 20 with an IP background and my past experience will give me a better shot at actual Big Law. Also, I would like to have some mobility, I've lived here my whole life and would like to live somewhere like Texas for a while as I'm sure I'll have to return to Michigan at some point later in life. Looking more like top 5-10% of my class now, but again, only 2 or 3 actual Big Law firms in Michigan that are more like satellite offices and unlikely to hire from each graduating class and a couple regional Big Law firms. Feel like moving and upgrading is in my best interests. But maybe you're right. I see myself starting a business or getting into real estate more than I see myself making partner. At the very least maybe I can leverage an offer for some scholarship money from my current institution.